Level



Get. 22, 5929. I. IVERSON 1,732,335

LEVEL Filed Aug. 6, 1926 Patented Oct. 22, 1929 PATENT OFFICE IVER IVERSON, OF ADAMS, WISCONSIN v LEVEL Application filed August 6, 1926. Serial No. 127,491.

The invention relates to levels.

One object of the invention is to provide a level which is of new and improved construc tion, consists of a minimum of parts, and may be manufactured or produced at a comparatively low cost.

Another object of the invention is to improve the construction of levels in which a cast bar is used by providing a bar composed of a longitudinal web and an integral substantially rectangular rib projecting from both faces of the web, with a separately formed plate which is adapted to fit within the rib and to be secured in spaced relation with respect to the web so as to form a chamber for the indicator operating weight and so that the bar in its entirety will be rigid and will not become warped. A characteristic of forming the plate separately from the web is that placement of the weight in the chamber is facilitated.

A further object of the invention isto provide a level of this character in which the ends of the indicator shaft are mounted in the web and plate so that the shaft will be directly confined and held with minimum frictional retardation.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective of a level embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective of the bar with the ,plate removed therefrom. Fig. 3 is a perspective of the plate. Fig. 4 is a transverse section. Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on line 66 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a perspective of the indicator weight. Fig. 8 is a perspective of the shaft for supporting the weight. Fig. 9 is a perspective of one of the indicator pointers.

The invention is exemplified in a level comprising a bar 10, a plate 15,.and an indicator for indicating the inclination of the level rela tively to plane surfaces. The bar is formed from a single metallic casting and comprises a longitudinal web 14 which extends throughout the entire length of the bar and forms one side thereof, and a substantially rectangular rib which is integrally formed with the web and projects laterally from both its faces. The rib projects a greater distance from one face of the web than from the other, and consists of a top wall 11, a bottom wall 12, and 5; side walls 13. Plate 15 forms the other side of the bar'and is removably secured within the rib at the side of greater projection by screws 16 which are secured to lugs 17. The latter are formed integrally with the rib and web. Lugs 17 position plate 15 a distance from the longitudinal center of the bar equal to the distance that the web 14 is spaced therefrom so as to properly balance the bar. Plate 15 forms with the web and rib an enclosed chamber 18 and is laterally removable from the bar to facilitate the assembly of the level.

The edges of the plate are adapted to abut against the inner periphery of the web when the plate is in its operative position to strengthen and prevent warpage of the rib.

The indicating means comprises a shaft 19 which is triangular in cross-section and extends transversely through chamber 18 and has its ends mounted in a pair of separately formed glass bearings 20 and 21 which are secured respectively in web 14 and plate 15;

a substantially quadrantal weight 22 which is disposed in chamber 18 and is provided with a triangular opening or socket 23 through so which the shaft 19 extends; a pair of dials 24 which are formed on the outer faces of web 14 and plate 15 respectively and are provided with suitable scales 25; and a pair of pointers 26 which are disposed adjacent the dials 24 and are rigidly connected to shaft 19 by studs 27 which are integrally formed on the outer ends of the shaft. A characteristic of forming the shaft triangular is that it reduces friction at the hearings to a minimum and forms a rigid interlock with the socket in the weight. The latter is disposed diametrically opposite to the pointers 26 so that the operation of gravity will at all times keep the pointers in a truly vertical position regardless of the inclination of the bar. Transparent discs 28 enclose and protect the pointers 26 and are respectively secured by rings 29 to annular flanges 30 which are integrally formed with the web and plate respectively.

When the bar is on a truly horizontal sur face, the pointers 26 which are aligned with one another, will register with the zero indications on the scales. When the bar is placed on an inclined surface, the pointers will remaintruly verticalthus causing relative rotation of the dials and pointers and the inclination to be correspondingly indicated on the scales.

The invention exemplifies a level of new and improved construction, which consists of a minimum of parts, is formed solely of metal, and is so constructed as to be properly reinforced and capable of being produced ata comparatively low cost.

This application is a continuation, in part, of an application filed by me May 19, 1923, and serially numbered 640,044.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a level, the combination of a onepiece bar comprlsing a marginal rib and a longitudinal web integrally formed with said rib and extending between the inner periphery thereof, a plate fitting within and engaging the said inner periphery of the marginal rib and secured adjacent the web, said plate being laterally removable from the bar and forming with the web and rib a chamber, and indicating means comprising dials on the outer faces of the web and plate respectively, a shaft pivotally mounted --in said plate and web and provided with pointers on the ends thereof to cooperate with said dials, and a weight disposed in said chamber, fixed to the shaft, and adapted to operate the pointers to indicate on both dials the inclination of the 2. In a level, the combination of a onepiece bar comprising a marginal rib and a longitudinal web integrally formed with the rib and extending between the inner periphery thereof, lugs integrally formed with the rib and web, a plate removably secured to said lugs and held thereby in spaced relation to the web to form a chamber, said plate being laterally removable from the bar to provide access to said chamber. and indicating means comprising dials on the outer faces of the web and plate respectively, a shaft pivotally mounted in the plate and web and pro vided with pointers on the ends thereof which cooperate with the dials. and a Weight disposed in said chamber, fixed to the shaft, and adapted to operate the pointers to indicate on both dials the inclination of the bar.

3. In a level, the combination of a bar provided with a marginal rib and sides spaced apart toform a central chamber inthe bar,

dials on the outer faces of said sides, a shaft extending transversely through the chamber and having its ends pivotally mounted in the sides respectively, said shaft being triangular in cross section throughout its entire length, pointers secured to the ends of the shaft and cooperating with said dials, and a weight disposed in the chamber and having a triangular socket in the upper end thereof in which the central portion of the shaft is disposed and locked against co-relative turning movement, said weight being adapted to operate the pointers through the shaft to indicate on the dials the inclination of the bar.

4. In a level, the combination of a cast metal bar comprising a web having an integral marginal rib projecting laterally therefrom, a plate fitting within the rib and secured in spaced relation to the web so as to form a chamber, dials on the outer faces of the Web and plate, a shaft extending through the chamber and having its ends pivotally mounted in the web and plate respectively, said shaft being triangular in cross section throughout its entire length, pointers secured to studs on the ends of the shaft and coopcrating with said dials, and a weight disposed in the chamber and having a triangular socket in the upper end thereof in which the central portion of the shaft is disposed and locked against co-relative turning movement, said weight being adapted to operate the pointers through the shaft to indicate on the dials the inclination of the bar.

Signed at Adams, Wisconsin, this 10th day 7 of May, 1926.

IVER IVERSON. 

